PRESS RELEASE

180 Gather to Challenge Clarion Project

Stand together against Islamophobia and Racism

Washington, D.C. (December 21, 2016) — In this time of rising Islamophobia and racism, Jewish community members in D.C gathered, in conjunction with 25 actions in cities across the country, to publicly rekindle their commitment to justice during the Jewish holiday of Chanukah.

Rabbi Joseph Berman, opening the rally, explained: “Jewish tradition teaches us that all of humanity is created in the image of God. Our values and tradition make clear the vital importance of loving and protecting one another. We are currently witnessing a massive increase of hate crimes, spurred on by the rhetoric of politicians who will soon inhabit the halls of power. We stand at the side of communities targeted by this hatred and violence. We do so by reaffirming our commitments to resisting unjust policies and practices, and by challenging one specific beacon of hatred, the Clarion Project.”

25 faith leaders submitted a letter (attached below) on Monday to property manager Tishman Speyer calling for them to terminate their contract with the Clarion Project, an Islamophobic hate group, and today rally participants will gathered outside the building to amplify that demand for a “hate free zone” at 1717 Penn.

Then, demonstrators marched down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House, where they gathered to host a rally to stand with Muslim communities against Islamophobia and racism.

Holding signs in the shape of a menorah, community members read out commitments, which included: “We refuse to be silent about anti-Muslim and racist hate speech and hate crimes. We condemn state surveillance of the Muslim community. We fight anti-Muslim profiling and racial profiling in all its forms. We call for an end to racist policing.” The rally featured community organizers working against Islamophobia in many forms: Rabbi Joseph Berman, Imam Ali Siddiqui, Ramah Kudaimi, Darakshan Raja, Sapna Pandya, Eric Powell, Taher Herzallah, and Rev. Graylan Hagler.

This national Chanukah action gathers Jews and allies to shine a light on the racism, white supremacy, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism and militarism that are increasing in our country and throughout the world. It is organized by the Network Against Islamophobia, a project of Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP). JVP is a national membership organization inspired by Jewish tradition to work for the freedom, equality, and dignity of all the people of Israel and Palestine, as well as of the US.

More morre information, contact: info@jvpdc.org

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Jewish Voice for Peace (www.jvp.org) is a national, grassroots organization inspired by Jewish tradition to work for a just and lasting peace according to principles of human rights, equality, and international law for all the people of Israel and Palestine. Jewish Voice for Peace has over 200,000 online supporters, over 60 chapters, a youth wing, a Rabbinic Council, an Artist Council, an Academic Advisory Council, and an Advisory Board made up of leading U.S. intellectuals and artists.